Device for using adhesive tape



G. H. FRHTZINGER V 9 DEVICE FOR USING ADHESIVE TAPE Filed Dec. 19, 1945 I s Sheets-Sheet 1 fig 8 I N VEN TOR.

NW, 1, l9. s. H. FRITZINGEFZ DEVICE FOR USING ADHESIVE TAPE smm 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Dec. 19, 1945 INVENTOR.

hn m 5 W G. H. FRITZINGER DEVICE FOR USING ADHESIVE TAPE Nov. 1', 19.49.

3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed Dec. 19, 1945 IN V EN TOR.

' Patented Nov. 1, 1949 George H. Fritzinger,

West OrangfejN. J., assignmof one-hall to Harold G. Kendall, Brooklyn,

Application December 19, 1945, Serial No. 635,890

This invention relates to devices for dispensing and/or applying adhesive ta especially tape of the pressure-sensitive type. By way of illustration, the invention is herein particularly described in terms of a machine for cutting off reenforcing strips of pressure-sensitive tape from a supply roll, applying'these strips to paper sheets and punching the sheets in one operation. The machine is especially useful for reenforcing and punching'sheets for loose-leaf binders, but may obviously be used wherever it is desired to punch a hole in a thin sheet-like object and reenforce a surrounding portion of the object.

Different features embodied in the present machine are described and claimed broadly in my pending applications Serial No. 467,616 filed November 28, 1942 (issued March 2, 1948, as Patent No. 2,437,022), Serial No. 55 L769 filed August 29, 1944 (issued June 4, 1946, as Patent No. 2,401,298 and reissued February 10, 1948, as

No. 22,972) and Serial No. 627,997 filed November The present invention relates especially to de- 19, Claims. (Cl; 164-48) tailed improvements in reenforcing and punching machines of the character abovementioned pending application Serial No. 551,769, and has a general object to provide improvements in such machines which render the machines more economical to produce, more dependable in operation, more convenient .to use and well-nigh foolproof against misoperation.

Particular objects of my invention are to provide an improved and simplified design of such machine wherein the sheets are supported on a table near the base level of the machine, the punchings are collected in a bottom compartment of the housing, the housing is adapted to render the punching and reenforcing' units readily accessible for installing the new rolls of tape, the units are arranged to permit a free length of tape of each new roll to be started easily in the feed mechanism, the units-are adapted to prevent the operator from accidentally tion of the sheet beyond the tape-severing line of the unit such as would cause a portion of the sheet to be cut off when the unit is operated or might foul the feed mechanism of the unit, the

feed mechanism is adapted to pull a definite length oftape into the die mechanism on each operation irrespective of the feed resistance caused by the adherence of the tape to the roll, the feed mechanism is adjustable to vary the lengths of tape fed into the die mechanism, the feed and die mechanisms are positively intercoupled to work only in proper sequence, the units are controlled described in my inserting any portially on the line 99 automatically to feed the tape only when a sheet is properly positioned therein, the blade of the die mechanism is mounted adjustably in a novel manner whereby it is firmly held and accurately located in a position for scissors engagement with a fixed cutting edge of the die mechanism when the mechanism is closed, the ranged so that it is maintained free of adhesive or gum from the tape, and the actuating mechanism is restrictively controlled to prevent the user from inadvertently misoperating the machine. These and other and allied objects and features of my invention will be apparent from the following description and the appended claims.

In the description of my invention reference is had to theaccompanying drawings, of which:

Figure 1 is, a perspective view of the machine of the present invention, and showing the operating handle in its initial or unoperated position;

Figure 2 is a fractional vertical section taken through one of the reenforcing and punching units substantially on the line 2-2 of Figure 5;

Figure 3 is another fractional vertical section taken substantially on the line 33- of Figure 5 and showing principallyta lefthand side elevational view of one of the punching and reenforcing units;

Figure 4 is a fractional top plan view, with the coverbroken away, of the left portion of the housing and of one of the punching and reenforcing units;

Figure 5 is a fractional front elevational view of themachine taken substantially on the line 5-5 of Figure 2;

Figure 6 is a vertical section taken on the line 6-6 of Figure 5;

Figure 7 is a fractionalrighthand elevational view of the punching and reenforcing unit, but showing the right side lines so as to illustrate better the mechanism of the unit;

Figure 8 is a fractional section taken substantially on the line 88 of Figure 2; and

Figure 9 is a fractional section taken substanof Figure 8.

The present machine has a generally rectangular housing I0 provided with a forwardly-projecting table II near the base level thereof on which the sheets are held that are to be reenforced and punched, there being a slit l2 in the front of the housing at the rear of the table and along the length of the machine through which the sheets are inserted into the reenforcing and punching units. The housing may be made suitably of sheet metal stock and may comprise die mechanism is ar-' frame plate in dash-dot similar left .and right sides l3 and I4 secured to front and back base sections l5 and I6 (Figure 2), and a forward strip bentupwardly and rearwardly from the base section ii to form the table II, these parts being suitably joined at their adjacent edges as by welding or soldering. Bent upwardly from the base section l5 at the rear thereof is a vertical strip l'l forming the back wall of the compartment l8 below the table II. This compartment. is for receiving the punch-, ings from the sheets as willhereinafter appear. Bent up from the base section I6 is a strip l9 and secured thereto is a rear wall section of the housing. Hinged at 2| to the top part of the wall 20is a cover 22 which includes a front wall section 22a of the housing above the table II. Pivotally connected at 23 to the sides l3 and I4 of the housing is a front door 24 which terminates a short distance above the table II to form the slit l2 abovementioned, the bottom edge of the door being turned inwardly so as to facilitate the inserting of the sheets into the machine. The door is biased by a tension spring 25 into closed to the right from the frame. an upper die memher having lower and upper lugs 44 and 45 the lower lug being hereinafter referred to as the upper die plate which are slidably mounted on the punch below and above the lower bearing 4i, and a lower die plate 46 spaced below the position defined by cars 26 at its ends which abut against the adjacent front edges of the sides I3 and (4 (Figure 1). This spring is connected to a screw 21 in the left wall of the housing and swings over center past the adjacent pivot 23 (Figure 7) 1 to hold the door in closed .or open positions as desired, the door being opened and closed by a knob 24a shown in Figure 1. In order to locate the sheets on the table lengthwise of the housing, the right side I4 is projected slightly above the table at 28; To accommodate sheets longer than the table II, the left side has a slit 29 extending rearwardly of 1 the table as shown in'Figure 2.

Secured by screws 30 to the 'left and right sides of the housing, against the inner sides thereof, are reenforcing frame members 3| and 32 for the housing. These frame members have inwardly-turned lugs, such as the lug 3la of the member 3|, which are secured as by welding to the wall I! (Figure 4 and 5) so as to rigidity the sides of the housing. These frame members are apertured near their upper ends to form bearings for a cross shaft 33 which extends the length of the housing from the left wall l3 to the right wall l4 thereof. Mounted on the right end portion of this shaft, to the left however of the right'frame member 32, is a handle 34 the hub of which is locked to the shaft by a key 35 which engages a groove 36 that runs the fulllength of the shaft. This handle extends through a clearance slot 31 in the cover, and is the means for manually operating the machine, the initial or unoperated position of the handle being its -vertical position shown in Figure 1 as aforementioned.

Slidably mounted on the shaft 33 are several (typically 2) identical reenforcing and punching units of which onlyone unit 38 need be herein shown. This unit has a vertical plate 39 at its leftside which constitutes the main frame element of the unit, and is hereinafter referred to as the frame, the outline of this frame appearing clearly'in Figure 3. The frame 39 is carried slidably at its forward end by the shaft 33 and is supported slidably at its rearward end by a lip l9a turned in from the strip l9 of the housing, which engages slidably a slit 39a in the back of the frame as shown in Figure 2. Mounted on this frame is a die mechanism which comprises the vertical punch 40 mounted in lower and upper bearings 4| and 42 consisting of lugs turned upper die'plate 44 and having a hole 41 for re- 'ceiving the punch when the die mechanism is closed. This lower die plate is secured by screws (not shown) against the topside of a block 48 'pin 50 in the punch. In this position the lower end of the punch extends just slightly below the die plate 44. The punch is urged normally into this position by a compression spring 5| interposed between the upper lug 45 and a cross pin 52 in the punch above this-lug. When the punch is pressed downwardly to close the die, the die plates 44 and 46 are engaged to press the tape into engagement with the sheet and then the compression spring yields to cause the punch to project beyond the upperdie plate and into the hole 41 to punch the sheet, the distance of this projecting of the punch being limited by the amount of compression of the spring 5| required to bring the convolutionsof the spring into engagement with one another. Between the die members and for a short distance to the rear thereof, the frame 39 has an opening, the back edge of which is at 53, for clearing the tape-feedingmechanism as will hereinafter appear.

The die member 43 has an arm 43a extending rearwardly and downwardly from the left side thereof, which is held slidably against the right side of the frame 39 by a bar 54, this bar being screwed tight against the frame and having an blfset end portion which slidably embraces the rearward edge of the arm 43a. Thus the die member 43 is held fixed against angular play about the punch 40, but is free to move vertically with the punch.

The die mechanism includes a tape-severing means which comprises a cutting edge 46a at the back end of the lower die plate 46 and a blade 55 which is mounted on the back side of the die member 43 so that it will engage the edge 45a in scissors relation as the die mechanism is closed. Since this blade must separate entirely from the lower cutting edge 46a to provide a free unobstructed space therebetween for the tape-feeding mechanism, as will be hereinafter apparent, it is necessary that the blade be mounted very accurately with respect to the lower cutting edge and also that it be yieldably mounted for coaction therewith in scissors relation. In the present invention this is accomplished by providing a novel adjustable mounting for the blade which permits adjustment of the blade to correct for wide manufacturing tolerances in the parts of the machine. This mounting comprises two spaced horizontal pins 56 and 51 riveted to the back side of the die member (Figures 2, 3 and 8) and on which the blade is hung with just sufiicient clearance to permit it to pivot slidablyabout both a horizontal axis on the pins and a vertical axis in its direction of movement. At the upper leftward part of the die member there is a rearwardly-extending pin 58 (Figure 3) which forms a fixed rock which engages the groove lower centralportion of the blade there is a sec-' ond screw 60 (Figures 8 and 9) which abuts also against the back -side of the die member to define the limiting angular position of the blade about its horizontal adjusting axis abovementioned. Clamped by a screw iii to the upper part of the back side of the die-member and against the back side of the blade is a leaf spring 62 which holds the blade yieldably in its limiting position, both angularly about the vertical adjusting axis defined by the screw 59 and the horizontal adjusting axis defined by the screw 88.

It will be observed that by the screw 59 the angle between the plane of the blade and the cut ting edge 46a can be adjusted for the best cutting action, which angle is typically a few degrees. By means of the screw 80' the blade is set so that it first clears the edge 46a by a suitably safe margin.

In order that the blade 55 will engage the edge 46a in truly scissors relationshipi. e., with a progressive point contact-it is necessary that the spring 62 engage the blade at a point above the diagonal lines 83 shown dottedly in Figure 8, which join the rock points of the blade with the ends of the cutting edge of the blade. In other words, when this relationship is obtained, contact is made with the two rock points so' that the blade is held at a fixed angle with the cutting edge 46a, the blade simply pivoting about the horizontal adjusting axis as the die mechanism is closed.

At the right side of the frame 39 there is a U- shaped drive member 64 having left and right apertured arms 65 and 88 slidably mounted on the shaft 33. Secured as by welding to the cross portion of this drive member is an L-shaped key 81 36 to spline the drive member to the shaft. The left arm 85 of this drive member lies to the left of the punch 48 and works between the cross pin 52 abovementioned and an upper cross pin 68 in the punch. In the initial position of the drive member-the position it occupies when the handle 34 is in its vertical position-a forwardly-extending finger 65a of the arm '55 lies below the cross pin 68 to hold positively the punch in its upward position and to hold the die mechanism open. The outer edge 65b of the arm 85 is arcuate about the shaft 33 as a center and cooperates with the pin 68 throughout approximately half of the forward stroke of the drive member, typically through an angle of approximately 40, to hold the punch in its uppermost position. In the further forward stroke of the drive member, however, a forward edge 85c of the arm contacts the pin 52 and moves the punch downwardly to close the die mechanism; at the same time a, cam face-65d at the back side of the arm maintains a clearance distance from the pin 68 so that the arm works freely between I 3) to the frame 39 and this pin and the pin 52 without substantial play.

In the first half portion of the return stroke of upwardly to open the die mechanism, and in the final portion of the return stroke the arcuate edge 65d again slides against the pin 88 to maintain the die mechanism open. To prevent the punch 6 from turning and the pins 52 and 89 from moving out of their relationship to the drive arm 85, a member 99 is provided on the frame 89 below the upper bearing 42 and has a vertical slot ill engaged slidably by the left end portion 38 there is a pivot screw of the pin 88.

At the rear of the unit Ii, threaded to the frame 38, on which there is pivoted a ratchet wheel 12 at the right side of the frame. This ratchet wheel is adapted to probe mounted only in a correct position, this posipresent instance one wherein tion being in the as the tape is drawn forward from the roll the adhesive side thereof faces downwardly. In order to mount the roll it is only necessary to angularly align the slits in the core with the locating lugs 15 and then press the roll axially onto the arms 14 until the roll lies flat against the ratchet wheel.

The tape-feeding mechanism embodies the principle described and claimed in my pending application Serial No. 551,769, and operates to pull successive lengths of free tape 18 forwardly from the roll across the under side of a roller- Ti journaled to the frame 39 and into the die mechanism through the space between the blade 58 and the cutting edge 46a. A component of this feeding mechanism comprises a horizontal member [8 turned over from the arm 43a of the die member 43 (Figures 8 and 9), which lies just to the rear of the blade 55 and has a resilient pad 18a applied to the bottom face thereof for backing the non-adhesive side of the tape drawn from the roll. This member 18-1811 may, be referred to as an anvil. The tape is releasably taken hold of by a feed member 19 having a flat surfacefor holding to the tape by adhesive contact. In the initial position of this feed member, the same bears against the adhesive side of the tape backed by the anvil 18-18a, as shown in Figure 2. This is a U-shaped feed member having a left arm extended upwardly at the left side of the frame member 39 and a right arm 8| extending upwardly at the right of the die 'member 43. The arms 89 and 8| are carried pivotallyat 82. on a horizontal axis above the tape-engaging surface of the feed member, by respective forward arms 83 and 84 of a substantially horizontal bifurcated lever 85. This lever 85 straddles the'frame 39 at the bottom thereof, the arms being joined by a U- shaped cross member 85a intermediate the length of the lever which passes through a clearance opening 86 in the frame. The lever 85 is carried pivotally by a substantially vertical bifurcated lever 81. This lever has left and right arms 88 and 89 joined at the top by a cross member 81a. The lever 81 straddles the frame 39, and the left arm thereof is pivoted on a pivot stud 90 (Figure the right arm is pivoted on a stud screw 9i that is threaded into a post 92 that is secured to the frame as by riveting (Figures 2 and 5). The arms 83 and. 84 of the lever 85 are pivoted respectively, at points 93 approximately midway the length of the lever, to the lower end the lever 81.

Pivoted at 94 to the right arm 66 of the drive 15 for engaging re-' portions of the arms 88 and 89 of member 54 is a link 95 which couples the drive member to the lever 81. This link has a slot 95a open at the top to form a hook 95b for engaging a pin 96 on the right arm of the lever 81. The link is urged upwardly into coupled relation with the pin by a tension spring 91 connected between it and the stud screw 9|, but unless a sheet 18 in the die mechanism the link is automatically disengaged from the pin as the handle 84 is operated, and is hereinafter explained.

As the handle 34 is swung forwardly from its initial position, assuming a sheet to be in the die mechanism, the link is first moved relatively to the pin 98 through the length of the slot 950 and thereupon the lever is swung forwardly to move die mechanism in straddling relation to the die member 43. In the initial position of the feed member, the arms thereof are'held vertical by contact of ,the left arm 80, below the pivot axis 82, with the edge 53 of the frame 39 and by contact above the axis 82 with a pin 98 on the frame; also, in this initial position the feed member is urged against the tape backed by the anvil 18- 180. by a tension spring 99 connected between the arm 83 of the lever 85 and the pivot stud 90. Immediately following an initial forward movement of the feed member from its initial position, a pin I is carried by a rearward arm 88a of the lever 85 engages a stationary cam plate I02 on the frame 39 (Figure 3) and turns the lever 85. so as to direct the feed member downwardly in an oblique direction away from the anvil 18-1811 and at a clearance distance from the blade 55. At the same time the feed member is turned counterclockwise, as viewed in Figure 2, by the resisting feed force of the tape provided by the adherence of the tape to the roll, and the angle of the engaging surface of the feed member with the adhesive side of the tape extending therefrom is reduced to less than 180. By reducing this angle-herein referred to as the feed angle-to less than 180' the feed member obtains a tenacious hold on the tape as described fully in my abovementioned pending application Serial No. 551,769.

In the continuing i orward movement of the feed member, the lever 85 isturned slightly by the cam I02 against the force of the spring 99 to direct the feed member slightly downwardly. The

- feed angle remains substantially less than 180 during substantially the first half portion of the :forward stroke and maintains therefore a tenacious hold on the tape to pull the tape into the die mechanism. In the latter portion of its forward stroke, however, the right arm 8| of the feed member impinges against a member I03 (Figure 7) and is turned clockwise to a limiting position defined by the abutment of the arm 8| against a stop pin I04 on the level 85 (Figure 2.) By this clockwise movement the feed angle is increased to substantially more than l80i. e., it is tripped-to enable the tape to be readily stripped therefrom. Concurrently as the feed member is so tripped, a leaf spring I05 which is mounted adjustably on the cross part 81a of the lever 81 by a fixed screw I08 and an adjusting screw I01, is moved into engagement with the ratchet wheel 12 to lock 'the tape roll 13 and prevent any further tape from being drawn from the roll. Accordingly, in the final forward movement of the feed member into its terminal position dottedly shown in Figure 2, the tape is stripped from the feed member leaving a definite free length of tape in the die mechanism. The locking of the tape supply roll during the latter part of the feed stroke. which is disclosed in my prior pending patent application 8. N. 627,997, filed Nov. 13, 1945,'serves to assure that the tape will be released from the feed member at the end of each feed stroke regardless of how tenaciously the tape may adhere to the feed member. ,1

Also during the latter half portion of the forward feed stroke, theupper die member 49 and punch 40 are moved downwardly to close the die mechanism as hereinbefo're explained. The feed member is timed however to move ahead of the the feed member 19 forwardly through the I die plate 44 so as not to interfere with the closing of thedie mechanism.

As the die mechanism is thus closed, the length of tape which has been fed thereinto is severed at the cutting edge 48a and applied to the sheet, and concurrently the punch is projected be- "yond the die plate 44 into the hole 41 of the lower I09 that is curved upwardly and forwardly to engage the rearward portion of the anvil 1818a at a point back from the initial position of the feed member. This spring'finger slidably engages continuously the adhesive side of the tape, over a limited area however, and serves to hold the tape against the anvil in the interim between the severing operation 'and the return of the feed member to its initial position.

During the return stroke of the handle 84 the die mechanism is opened positively by the camming action of the back side of the drive arm against the cross pin 58 and thereupon the feed member is returned through the die mechanism to its initial position.

In the returningmovement of the feed memher a curved end portion of the left arm 80 thereof (Figure 3) slidably engages the pin 98 and cams the feed member angularly to its initial vertical position. However, in order that the feed memof which bears downwardly against the forward portion of the cam plate. During the forward stroke the pin I00 moves ahead of this spring. camming the tip of the spring upwardly as.it moves past the same, but in the return stroke the pin slides across the top side of this spring and holds the lever clockwise as viewed in Figure 3 against the force of the tension spring 99 to direct the feed member in its downward path abovenoted. when the feedmember nears the end of itsreturn stroke, the pin I00 moves off a back edge II2 (Figure 3) of the spring III and releases the lever so that the tension spring 99 snaps the feed member upwardly into its initial position against the adhesive side of the tape for a succeeding feeding. operation. I The stop pin I04 also serves to limit the feed member in its counterclockwise movement, as viewed in Figure 2, to a position wherein the feed angle is approximately 150. Between the angle limits defined by this pin I04, the feed member is played back and forth without need for any torsional biasing thereof, it being cammed clockwise by the member I03 during the forward stroke of the unit, the outline of this member being shown'by dash-dot lines in Figure '7. This side plate is secured against a shoulder ofthe stud screw 9| by a nut H5 and to the block 48 by a screw H5. The tripping member I03 has an upper rearwardly-extending arm I03a provided with a. turned-over lug III In which an adjusting screw II! is mounted (Figure '7). This screw bears slidably, under influence of the torsional biasing of the member I03 caused by a tension spring H9, against a cam face provided on the rightarm 66 of the drive member 64. This. cam face has front and back arcuate portions 66a and 66b of. smaller and larger radii respectively and an intervening step 66c. During the first portion of the feed stroke, the screw H8 slides on the arcuate face 66a and holds the member I03 stationary. During the intermediate portion of the stroke, however, the screw rides up the step 660 and cams the member I03 counterclockwise as viewed in Figure 7. This camming is timed to occur as the pivot axis 82 of the feed member is moved past the tripping member 103 so as to step up the rate of the tripping action and release the feed member from the tape within a short-distance of its forward movement.

By turning the screw I I8 outwardly and inwardly the tripping action can be retarded and advanced to increase and, decrease the lengths of the tape fed into the die mechanism. A feature of this adjusting means lies in setting the screw I Illa-t an angle, as shown in Figure 7, so that the member I03 will be cammed counterclockwise to accelerate the tripping action, in each adjusted position of the screw, .as the pivot axis 82 of the feed member is moved past the tripping member. The adjusting screw I01 for the latch spring I05 is to be adjusted similarly-i. e., outwardly and inwardly as the screw I I8 is so adjusted-so as to keep the locking of the tape roll in proper timing with the tripping of the feed member, the preferred timing being always to lock the roll when the feed angle has been increased by a suitable margin above 180, say a margin of or as then'the lengths of tape which are fed into the die mechanism will be uniform irrespective of the feed resistance of the tape and the rate at which the machine is operated.

In the right side plate I I4 there is a narrow horizontal slit I20 at the level of the table II (Figure 7) which is flared at its forward open end to receive the sheets as they are slid rearwardly across the table and retain them adjacent to the lower die plate 46. Also, the rear edge of this slit serves as a stop to prevent the sheets from being inserted beyond the cutting edge 46a to clear space for the blade 55 as the die mechanism is closed. Preferably, this movement is accomplished simply by mounting a barrier I23 on the cross member I08 of the die member 43 and providing it as an integral part of the spring through a clearance opening 10 finger I03 above described (Figures 8 and 9). This barrier is important not only to prevent the user from inadvertently cuttingthe sheets, but also to prevent any portion of the sheets being cut off and applied to the tape behind the plate during one feedingoperation where it might prevent the feed member fromtaking hold of the tape for a succeeding feeding operation.

The means abovementioned for preventing the operation of the feeding mechanism unless a sheet is properly placed in the die mechanismi. e., with the edge of the sheet at the cutting edge 46c-comprises a vertical control lever- I24 pivoted midway its length at I25 to the right side plate H4. The lever has a lower arm extending below the top face of the lower die plate 46, I28 in the right rearward portion thereof, and is slightly biased clockwise by a spring I2'I (Figure 7) against a stop pin I28. In' this position of the lever the lower arm thereof is at a distance, say $4," ahead of the 'cutting edge 46a. Above the upper arm of this control lever'lies the forward end of a horizontal cam lever I29 which is pivoted midway its length, at I30, to the right plate II4. This cam lever is biased clockwise by the spring II9 against a stop pin I3'I, whereat it suitably clears the control lever I24. On the rear edgeof this lever I29 there .is a cam face [2941; To the rear of this cam face there is a cross pin I32 riveted at its left end tothe link above described. 4

Upon swinging the handle 34 forwardly while there is no sheet in the die mechanism the pin I32 is impinged against the cam face of the lever I29 to cam the link 95 downwardly-itbeing understood that the cam lever is now locked by the lever I24. By this camming of the link 95 the handle 34 is uncoupled from the lever 81. However, when a sheet is properly positioned in the die mechanism the cam lever I29 is unlocked and is ineffective to cam the link 95 since the spring 91 biasing the link is stronger than the spring I I9 biasing the cam lever; as a result, upon now moving forwardly the handle 34 the pin I 32 cams the cam lever I29 and the link 95 remains coupled with the lever 81 to operate the feed mechanism. This control for preventing the feeding of the tape unless a-sheet is placed in the machine isimportant because it prevents any tape from being fed out and applied to the die plate should the handle 34 be worked back and forth while there is no sheet in the machine.

A further feature to prevent misoperation of the machine lies in the provision of a mechanism I33 at the right side of the housing for requiring the die mechanism to be closed following the feeding of a length of tape thereinto before the feed member can be returned to its initial position. This is a full stroke mechanism which is preferably made effective in both forward and return strokes of the handle 34 so as to obtaina maximum assurance against the user inadvertently misoperating the machine. This mechanism comprises a cantilever spring I34 secured by screws I35 to a portion 34a of the handle 34 beyond the shaft 33, andanarcuate catchmember I35 having an offset lug at the bottom thereof secured by a screw I36 to the lower portion of at the top thereof secured by a screw I31 to the part 32a bent over from the housing member 32.

This catch member has clearance openings I38 and I39 for the end portion of the spring I34 when the handle is in its initial and terminal posill tions respectively, and has a, number (suitably 3) of spaced catches I40 and-I4l bent over to its right and left sides respectively. In the initial forward movement of the handle the portion of the catch member adjacent the clearance opening I38 cams the spring I34 to the right side thereof,- and in the continuing forward stroke the spring snaps over the catches I40 in succession and islocked against return movement therebeyond until it reaches its terminal position. In the initial return movement of the handle from its terminal position, the spring I34 is cammed to the left side of the catch member, and in the continuing return stroke it snaps over the catches MI in succession and is locked against a reverse movement until the handle reaches its initial position.

So as normally to assure the complete return of the feed member to its initial position upon releasing the handle after each operation of the machine, the handle 34 is biased to its initial position by a torsion spring I42 anchored to the housing member 32. The initial position of the handle is. defined by a stop screw I41 threaded in a lug 39b of the frame. This screwis set to maintain a slight clearance between the feed member and the edge 53 and screw 98 so that the feed member will be free to be snapped upwardly againstthe tape at the end of the stroke.

In order to prevent any undue force being imparted inadvertently to the feed and die mechof my -invention,'which I endeavor to express ing adapted to provide a totally free unobstructed'space between said cutting element and said blade member when said mechanism is open: the combination of a support member for said blade member mounted for transverse relative move- 'ment with respect to said cutting element, means for fastening said blade member to said, support member at two points spaced from and along the edge of said blade'member, said fastening means being adapted to permit pivoting of the blade member relative to said cutting element about a anisms by means of the handle 34, there is a stop I43 in the housing member 32 against'whlch th handle abuts to define its limiting or terminal position.

In order that the user may conveniently start the tape of a new roll in the feed mechanism, the housing has a bottom opening I44 between the base sections I5 and IB- and has the door 24 at the front. To the free end of the tape of each new roll there is applied a semifiexible nonadhesive strip (not shown) which may be a strip of still paper /2" wide and several inches long. After installing the'new roll-which can be done by way of the opening I44the user presses against the cross member 85a to rock the lever 85 and disengage the feed member from the anvil Ia-18c. While so holding the feed member disengaged, the semiflexible strip is threaded between the finger I09 and. the anvil into the die mechanism. Next, while continuing to hold the feed member disengaged, the user takes hold of the strip by way of the door 24 and pulls the tape through the die mechanism. Thereafter -he releases the lever 85 and reciprocates the handle 34 once to'cut the tape oil, which has been threaded through the die mechanism, at the edge 45a. After the handle is returned to initial position, the user pulls off the tape which has been applied to the lower die member simply by pulling upwardly on the non-adhesive strip abovementioned. Upon next shutting the door. 24 the machine is in condition for use.

Between the door 24 and the cover section 22a there is a clearance slit I45 for the door 24 in the opening thereof. Secured to each unit there is a pointer I46 of a spring material which projects through this slit to indicate to the user th 7 location of the punch of each unit 38.

While I have herein particularly described my invention in terms of a preferred embodiment, it will be understood that this embodiment is illustrative and not necessarily limitative of my invention as the same is subject to changes and first axis substantially parallel to the cutting edge of the blade member and a second axis in the direction of travel of the. blade member, means providing a pair of rock points along said firstaxis for said blade member relative to said support member, one of said rock points comprising a screw threaded in one of said members and engaging the other member for adjusting said blade member about said second axis 'whereby to establish an angle between the plane of said blade and the edge of said cutting element, a screw threaded in one of said members and engaging the other at a point adjacent to the edge of said blade member for defining the limiting angular position of said blade member about said first axis through said rock points, and spring means operatively connected to said blade and support members for biasing said blade member into said limiting positions, said spring means being adapted to maintain said blade in contact with said rock points upon shearing engagement of said cutting element with said blade member at all points along the effective cutting edge of the latter. v

2. In a machine including a tape roll, closable first and second die members, and a feed member moved through the space between said die members forpulling a length of tape from said roll: means for severing saidtape as saidfdie members are closed, comprising a cutting edge transverse to the direction of movement between said die members and fixedly positioned with respect to said first die member; a blade member for engaging said cutting edge in scissors relation; means for fastening said blade member to said second die member at two points spaced from and along the edge of the blade member, said fastening means comprising two.

' the blade member for defining the initial point of contact of the blade member with the edge of said first die member as the die members are closed; and spring means, engaging said blade member at a point spaced with respect to the edge of the blade member from the diagonal lines joining the ends of the edge of the blade memmodifications without departure from the scope her with said rock points, for biasing said blade member about said axis towards said second die member. v 4

3. In a machine for feeding lengths of pressure-sensitive tape from a supply roll: the combination of a feed member having a surface for holding to the tape by adhesive contact; means for advancing said feed member while holding the same in an angular position wherein said surface is at an angle of 180 or less from the adhesive side of the tape extending therefrom to the roll; and means, operatively coupled to said moving means and moved in the opposite direction to that of the advance movement of said feed member, for engaging the feed member in the latter portion of the advance stroke thereof and turning the same to an angular position wherein said surface is at an angle substantially greater than 180 from the extending tape.

4. The combination set forth in claim 3 wherein said moving means includes an adjustable element for advancing and retarding the point in' said forward stroke at which the moving means engages said feed member.

5. In a machine for feeding lengths ofpressure-sensitive tape from a supply roll; the combination of a feed member having a surface for engaging the adhesive side of the tape and holding thereto by adhesive contact; reciprocable means pivotally carrying said feed member on an axis spaced from said engaging surface whereby with forward movement of the reciprocable means to pull a length of tape from the roll the feed member is turned by the resisting feed force of the tape to an angle wherein said surface is less than 180 from the adhesive side of the tape extending therefrom to the roll; and means, operatively coupled with said reciprocable means and moved oppositely to the direction of forward movement of the latter, for engaging said feed member, at the side of itspivot axis opposite said surface, to turn the feed member within a limited portion of the forward stroke of said reciprocable means to a position wherein said surface is at an angle greater than 180 from the extending tape.

8. In a machine for dispensing lengths of pressure-sensitive tape from a tape supply roll: the combination of a member for backingthenonadhesive side of a length of free tape drawn from said roll; a feed member having an initial position wherein it engages the tape backed by said backing member and holds to the tape by adhesive contact; means for advancing said feed member to pull a free length of tape from said roll, severing the tape ahead of said backing means and subsequently returning the feed member to initial position; and a member slidably engaging the adhesive side of the tape and urging said tape against said backing member at a point adjacent to the initial position of said feed member for retaining the free end portion of the angle to more than 180 and for latching said tape of said roll against said backing member in the interim between the severing of said tape and the return of said feed member to initial position.

I. In a machine for dispensing lengths of pressure-sensitive tape from a tape supply roll: the

roll against turning whereby to strip the tape from said feed member, means for severing the tape at said backing member prior to the return of said feed member to its initial position, and means slidably contacting the adhesive side of the tape for holding it in contact with said backing member following the severing of the tape and until said feed member is returned to initial position.

8. In a machine for pulling a free length of pressure-sensitive tape from a supply roll: the combination of a feed member for engaging the adhesive side of the tape and holding thereto by adhesive contact, a rotatably-cam'ied ratchet wheel on .which said tape roll is mounted, reciprocable means for advancing and returning said feed member including a reciprocative lever adiacent to said ratchet wheel, and a detent mounted on said lever and moved to engage said ratchet wheel and lock said roll against turning during the advance stroke of said feed member.

9; The combination set forth in claim 12 wherein said detent comprises a cantilever-mounted spring, and means for adjusting said spring relative to said lever to control the position of said feed member in its advance stroke at which said roll is locked.

10. In a machine for pulling lengths of pressure-sensitive tape from a supply roll: the combination of a feed member having an initial position wherein it engages the adhesive side of the tape and holds thereto by adhesive contact; a carrying member to which said feed member is freely pivoted without any substantial angular bias on an axis spaced from the tape-engaging surface of the feed member, said carrying member being reciprocable to advance and return the said feed member from and to said initial position; means for turning said feed member during the advance stroke thereof to a position wherein the tape-engaging surface thereof is at an angle greater than from the adhesive side of the tape extending therefrom; and means engaging said feed member during the return stroke thereof for camming the feed member back to its initial angular position, said two last-stated means comprising stops in the path of 'pivotal movement of said feed member throughout the travel thereof for confining the pivotal movement thereof positively within predetermined maximum limits. V

11. In a machine for pulling lengths of pressuresensitive tape from a supply roll: the combination of a feed member having an initial position wherein the same engages the adhesive side of the tape, said feed member having arms transverse to the tape-engaging surface thereof; a reciprocable member to which said arms are freely pivoted on an axis spaced from said surface, said reciprocable member being operable to advance and return said feed member from and to said initial position; stationary means for contacting 15 180' from the adhesive side of the tape extending therefrom; and means engaging said feed member at one side only of said pivot axis during the advance stroke of the feed member for turning the feed member to a position wherein said surface is more than 180 from the adhesive side of the extendingtape. one of said arms being adapted for slidably engaging said stationary means as said feed member is returned for camming said feed member back to its initial an ular position.

12. In a machine for pulling successive lengths of pressure-sensitive tape from a supply roll: the combination of a 'member backing the nonadhesive side of a free length of the tape drawn from said roll, a feed member having an initial position wherein it engages the tape backed by said backing member'and takes hold thereto by adhesive contact, a member pivotally carrying said feed member and reciprocable to advance and return said feed member from and to said initial position, stationary means slidably contacting said feed member and angularly locating the same as the feed member is returned to initial position, means for guiding said feed member in a 'path wherein the engaging surface thereof is spaced from said backing member as the said member is returned, spring means for moving said feed member into engagement with the tape backed by said backing member upon the return of said feed member, and stop means limiting the return movement of said reciprocable means for holding said feed member from engaging saidstationary means under pressure when the feed member is in its initial position.

- 13. In a machine for applying lengths of adhesive tape to sheets: the combination of a punch, a frame having a pair of spaced bearings in which said punch ls slidably mounted, aflrst die member for receiving said punch, a second presser die member embracing one of said bearings and having two apertured parts slidably mounted on said punch, spring means operatively interposed between said punch and said second die member for holding said punch normally retracted relative to one of said parts, actuating means coupled to said punch for closing said die members and projecting the punch beyond said one part and into engagement with said first die'member, a cutting edge on said first die member, a flat rearward part on said second die member bridging pling said mechanism to said actuating member for causing the feed mechanism to be operated during said initial portion of the stroke of the actuating member andto be substantially idle during the remaining portion of the stroke'of the actuating member whereby said feed mechanism and punch are operated substantially in sequence.

16. The combination set forth in claim 1 wherein said spring means engages said blade member at a single point spaced with respect to the edge of the blademember from diagonal lines joining said rock points with the opposite ends of the edge of said blade member. T

17. In apparatus for feeding lengths of pressuresensitive tape from a rotatably supported supply roll: the combination of means fortaking hold of the tape, said holding means being placeable in a tape-releasing condition; means for advancing said holding means through a predetermined feed stroke; means for'locking said roll against turning; and means. for breaking contact of said holding means with the tape comprising means rendered effective during the final portion of said feed stroke for placing said holding means in saidreleasing condition and said locking means in effective condition.

18. In apparatus for feeding lengths of pressuresensitive tape from a supply roll: the combination said apertured parts, a blade mounted pivotally on said rearward part, means pivotally locating said blade in a position wherein the same engages said cutting edge in scissors relation when said.

die members are closed, and a spring secured to said rearward side and engaging'said blade for urging said blade into said cutting position.

14. In a machine of the character described: the combination of a punch, a frame on which said punch is slidably mounted, a pair of spaced cross pins in said punch and projecting from one side thereof, and an actuating member pivoted to said frame and adapted to work between said pins for moving said punch back and forth positively as said actuating member is reciprocated, said actuating member having an end face arcuate about the pivot axis of the member which coacts with one of said pins during an' initial portion of the angular stroke of the actuating of a rotatably mounted support for said roll having means associated therewith for holding the roll against turning relative thereto; a feed mechanism including means for releasably taking hold of the tape and means -for advancing said holding means to pulla length of tape from said supply roll; means for locking said support; and means operated by said feed mechanism for rendering said holding means ineffective and said locking means effective as said holding means is advanced througha-final portion of its advance stroke.

19.- In apparatus for pulling lengths of pressure- ,sensitive tape from a supply roll, includingmeans -for rotatably supporting said roll: the combination-of a feed mechanism including a feed'mem"- ber for holding to the tape by adhesive contact and means for advancing said feed member to pull a length of tape from said 'roll; means for causing said feed member to be moved into a tape-releasing position during the final portion of the advance stroke thereof and means opera;- tively coupled to said feed mechanism for locking said roll when the feed member is in a tapereleasing position and prior to'the completion of the advance stroke of the feed member.

GEORGE H. FRI'IZINGER.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the idle of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 635,457 Yandall Oct. 24, 1899 954,816 Long Apr.' 12, 1910 1,391,099 'Day Sept. 20, 1921 1,619,214 Oigay Mar. 1, 1927 2,285,447 Lichter June 9, 1942 2,401,298 Fritzinger June 4, 1946 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 273,889 Germany May 11, 1914 

